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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / December 2007Is it time to take Kia to the Rainbow Bridge?
I can't make up my mind, so any advice would be helpful. As best I can, I'll try to describe her condition. At some point in the past two months I think she had a stroke of some kind. After that, her condition has steadily deteriorated. She is at a point right now where she has pretty much lost use of 3/4 of her legs. She cannot clean herself. She has a hard time eating. Every once in awhile she has what seems to be a quick little seizure. Her cagemate pretty much ignores her at this point. She can't climb. She can't jump. When she tries to clean herself, she'll invariably fall over. She struggles to get back on her feet using her tail and good leg. I help her eat and I give her a sponge bath every day to help her keep clean. That said, she does eat. She doesn't seem to be in any pain. She responds when I make noises around her. When I put her on the floor, she can walk and even run, sort of - at least until she hits a wall. In short, from what I can tell, her quality of life seems to be horrible, but she doesn't seem to be in obvious pain. She's not yet 2 years old. If she was your rat, would would you do? Thanks for any advice you can give. Best Regards, --Hank Stalica <snip> If she were my rat, I would look at the way she behaves, as you describe. I will take a rat to be put down if: 1. The rat appears to be in a great deal of pain or discomfort or 2. The rat appears to take no pleasure in life and does not appear to obtain any enjoyment from usually pleasant activities such as eating or interaction with humans or other rats. As long as she is not in pain and is getting at least some pleasure out of life, I would not put down. If, however, she meets one of the criteria consistently for a reasonable amount of time, I would take her to the vets. As you describe her, personally I would adopt a "watch and wait" strategy, and try to make her life as pleasant as possible; however, I have not seen her for myself, and on a text-based medium it is virtually impossible to form a full impression of her. So, it's only my opinion, based on what evidence can be conveyed on a newsgroup, and shouldn't be taken to mean that you should do what I would do! I hope Kia and you can both continue to take some pleasure in her life and that you feel comfortable about your decision, whatever it may be. Good luck - you're obviously a caring and conscientious pet-owner :-) Rosemary Thank you for the response and advice, Rosemary. I definitely understand the limits of the medium and how at best all I can do is paint a vague picture. I think just examining even other owner's thinking towards what I can describe is helpful. When to put your pet down is the toughest decision. It's something that I definitely want to do as responsibly as possible. The first rat I had put down, Sierra, it was a much clearer decision as she was slowly starving to death. But with Kia, I think it's a matter of how much is she enjoying life? I do not believe she is suffering which makes it tougher. How do you put value on life? That's something that seems really subjective which makes it more difficult. Therefore, I think getting the most opinions I can will be the most helpful in making the decision. My gut is that #2 is the case, but I would rather err on the side of putting her down too late rather than too early. Rats get such a short time on earth that it seems a travesty to cut it short unnecessarily. Best Regards, --Hank Stalica > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > Rosemary >> <snip> >> [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > can do is paint a vague picture. I think just examining even other > owner's thinking towards what I can describe is helpful. Yes, me too. I just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn't recommending you do one or the other, and why. Getting input from other people can be really helpful in making up your mind; I've done that many times on this group. > When to put your pet down is the toughest decision. It's something > that I definitely want to do as responsibly as possible. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > short time on earth that it seems a travesty to cut it short > unnecessarily. It'd be so much easier if we could get inside their heads and find out how they're feeling. With any luck some more people will reply to your post when they're awake - I think a lot of Europeans and North Americans are in bed at the moment! Six a.m. here - shudder. Sometimes the decision is easier to make, but I sympathise with you; this seems to be one of those times where it's hard to know. I've had a couple of rats for whom I've made the decision to have them put to sleep several times - as they always seemed to perk up immediately I made the decision! Rosemary > I can't make up my mind, so any advice would be helpful. > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > --Hank Stalica Hi Hank, If Kia were mine? I would have had her put to sleep before now. I believe in quality over quantity, I also believe in letting my furry family have some dignity as I would like if I become that way :( I would hate someone doing those things for me after I had been a perfectly capable human being. Rats also hide pain as much as possible as it makes them prey for predators so don't ever be fooled by that. I also believe there is life after we are freed of our bodies so I know it is not "the end". I am sorry if what I have written is not what you wanted to read but I believe in your heart of hearts you know the answer yourself. "If you love something set it free".. All the best Hank for you and moreso for Kia. Kind regards Kate >I can't make up my mind, so any advice would be helpful. > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > --Hank Stalica I really feel for you, it's such a hard descision. I think I would ask your vet for their opinion. Do you think the seizures are causing her any distress? I would make that my deciding factor. Give Kia hugs from me. Just a follow up.. I took Kia to the rainbow bridge today. She went very peacefully, in her sleep. I was able to give her some chocolate and oatmeal so she left with a full belly of treats she loved. Thank you all for the right advice. I am convinced I made the right decision to take her. I am at peace about it and I'm sure she is happy to be free of her wrecked body. Looking back, I probably should have taken her sooner. It's just so tough to make these decisions. In any event, thanks for the advice from those who responded. Also pre-thanks for the best wishes that are sure to follow. I know this is a very sympathetic ng, and we all love our little fuzzbutts. Best Regards, --Hank Stalica > I can't make up my mind, so any advice would be helpful. > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > --Hank Stalica > Looking back, I probably should have taken her sooner. Don't be hard on yourself about that. I sometimes feel that way, but the best you can do is try to learn from it for the next time. > It's just so tough to make these decisions. In any event, thanks for > the advice from those who responded. Also pre-thanks for the best > wishes that are sure to follow. It never gets easier, does it. /sad smile > I know this is a very sympathetic ng, and we all love our little > fuzzbutts. How couldn't anyone that actually knows a rat? :) Oh, I'm very sorry for your loss. We do love our little fuzzbutts so much. Best wishes, Marlo > Just a follow up.. > [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] >> >> --Hank Stalica |
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